13 Best Towns In Pennsylvania For Retirees
A fixed income stretches further in Pennsylvania than almost anywhere in the Northeast. The state also exempts Social Security and pension income from its flat income tax. That combination lets retirees here trade the commute for a symphony seat or a trout stream. Some settle near the UPMC hospital network for peace of mind. Others pick a walkable main street where the grandkids have somewhere to go. These 13 towns each give retirees a specific reason to stay put.
Lancaster
Lancaster sits in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country and holds about 58,000 residents. The small downtown lets retirees run most errands on foot, and Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health keeps a full-service hospital minutes from the center of town.
The Central Market anchors the week for many locals. Housed in an 1889 brick market house on Penn Square, it bills itself as the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the country, and roughly 60 vendors sell produce, meats, and baked goods there on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. A few blocks away on North Prince Street, the Fulton Theatre stages six mainstage productions a year and hosts the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra. The 1852 building is often called the oldest continuously operating theater in America. For everyday browsing, Gallery Row lines several downtown blocks with galleries and boutiques within easy walking distance of the market.
Indiana
Moving further out from Pittsburgh, you'll find Indiana, the "Christmas Tree Capital of the World." The town has a sizable retirement community despite being the home to a university. Moving to Indiana, you'll find no shortage of entertaining things to do and like-minded people gathered on Philadelphia Street.
The Jimmy Stewart Museum in town celebrates the life of classic Hollywood actor James Stewart. Stewart grew up in Indiana, and the museum shows matinees of his extensive filmography that rotate every week. For more contemporary art, head down Philadelphia Street to the Artists Hand Gallery and Espresso Bar. You can grab a delicious coffee and see a rotating collection of local art from Indiana's many prominent artists. And for live entertainment, the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex always has something going on, from collegiate sports to concerts and more.
Johnstown
Johnstown is a Rust Belt town in the Laurel Highlands with a storied history. The town has bounced back from the decline of industrial jobs and three major floods to become one of Pennsylvania's nicest and most affordable retirement cities. Retirees can learn about that history and the resilience that defines area residents at the Johnstown Flood Museum in town. It features exhibits explaining how the floods affected the area and how it recovered.
Hockey fans will find one of the best non-NHL arenas in the state in Johnstown at the 1st Summit Arena. The arena hosts the Johnstown Tomahawks, as well as concerts and ice shows. And in the Laurel Highlands area, you'll find no shortage of outdoor areas to enjoy, most prominently Stackhouse Park. The park has easy-to-walk trails for low-impact exercise and a gorgeous view.
Altoona
Not far east from Johnstown is Altoona, a railroad town where history is still on full display. The town is perhaps most famous for the Horseshoe Curve, an engineering marvel that changed rail travel in Pennsylvania forever. You can watch trains travel through the curve from the observation center. It's a hit with any railroad enthusiasts and the perfect day trip with the grandchildren.
Altoona is one of the best places in all of Central Pennsylvania for live entertainment, so you'll always have something to do during your golden years. The Altoona Symphony Orchestra has been a fixture in the city since 1928 and performs six concerts a year that are just as good as any major city's orchestra. For sports fans, Peoples Natural Gas Field is a great ballpark for watching the Altoona Curve, a Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Tyrone
Tyrone is just north of Altoona and offers the natural setting of Central Pennsylvania without the larger population of a city. With around 5,500 people living there, it represents the quintessential small town in Pennsylvania, with interesting shops and local restaurants. I-99 Antiques is a popular store in town where you'll find an eclectic mix of vintage items that will make for perfect gifts or decorations for your home.
For food, Mac's Market and the Gridiron are excellent. They serve prepared hoagies, pizzas, and strombolis, as well as sell fresh-cut and high-quality meat at the deli for cooking at home. And to enjoy fine wines and spirits, don't miss the Tyrone Hops and Vines festival downtown every year. The event gives you a chance to try local craft beers, fine wines, and delectable spirits that you won't find anywhere else.
DuBois
DuBois is a golf-lover's dream of a place to retire. The town has two challenging and fun golf courses to try your hand at. The DuBois Country Club is an 18-hole course, and the club offers affordable memberships with no green fees for seniors over 80. For a more affordable option, try the Kenterra Golf Course in town. It offers 18 holes and discounts for Monday golfing.
When you're not hitting the links, there's still plenty to do in DuBois. The Winkler Gallery in town houses an extensive collection of local artwork from some of the finest young artists in Central Pennsylvania. And for a romantic evening on the town, Luigi's Ristorante & Catering serves delicious Italian food in an intimate setting.
Lewistown
Heading east from DuBois, you'll find Lewistown, a small town on the Juniata River about 60 miles from Harrisburg. The citizens of the town celebrate one of the most distinctive festivals in the state every year in September: Goose Day. The celebration dates back to a Medieval belief that if you ate a goose on that day, you would not want for money for the rest of the year. The town celebrates Goose Day with a festival, unique goose meals, and vendors.
When it's not festival season, there are still plenty of reasons to retire in Lewistown. Lewistown Lanes is an excellent bowling alley for a sport you can play for the rest of your life. Get your friends together for a fun night of bowling and camaraderie. And finish the evening off with a meal at the Hungry Run Wine Bar & Bistro, serving up American food and delicious wines and cocktails.
Williamsport
Williamsport sits nearly equidistant from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and has become a lively retirement community thanks to its arts scene and love of sports. If the name sounds familiar, it's probably because Williamsport is the home of the Little League World Series, one of the best baseball events of the season. Retiring to Williamsport gives you a front-row seat to the action as teams from across the world compete.
When the series isn't in town, there's still plenty to see and do in Williamsport. The Journey Bank Community Arts Center hosts plays, comedy shows, dance recitals, and concerts, with intimate seating that gives you a great view no matter where you are. For history, you'll find plenty of it at the Thomas T. Taber Museum. They have a rotating collection of exhibits detailing early life in the country and the societies of Native Americans, giving you plenty of reasons to always come back. And living in Williamsport gives you access to the UPMC health network, with UPMC Williamsport in town.
Bloomsburg
About 40 miles from Williamsport and right beside Interstate 80 is Bloomsburg. Bloomsburg has a younger feel, but it still welcomes a robust retirement community. There's almost always some kind of community event going on in Bloomsburg, meaning you'll never have a boring day during your retirement. The Bloomsburg Fair is the star attraction in town. It is the largest agricultural fair in the state and has run each September since 1855. The other major event in town occurs right after the fair with the Covered Bridge & Arts Festival. This festival celebrates the area's art scene and is one of the largest craft fairs in the region.
If you need a quieter day, Bloomsburg offers those too. The Bloomsburg Senior Center offers hot meals and frequent activities to help you stay in touch with your fellow retirees. And the Bloomsburg Town Park has walking paths along the river and tennis courts for some exercise.
Pottsville
Pottsville is about 40 miles from Allentown, and it has quickly become one of the most popular retirement destinations in eastern Pennsylvania. Pottsville combines an active senior community with solid healthcare access and a deep industrial history.
In its early years, alcohol was an important industry in Pottsville, and you can learn more about the industry at the D.G. Yuengling & Sons, Inc. - Brewery, Museum and Gift Shop. You can tour the building and learn about how America's oldest brewery works. For retro car enthusiasts, you'll be sure to spend plenty of time at Jerry's Classic Cars & Collectibles. The museum has an impressive collection of cars from the '50s and '60s with a vintage aesthetic that takes you back to the past. And for a great night out, the Majestic Theater hosts plays and musicals year-round, featuring local actors.
Ashland
Not far from Pottsville and the ghost town of Centralia is Ashland, a town deeply connected with the coal industry that put Pennsylvania on the map. Though coal is no longer king in the area, Ashland has become an excellent and affordable retirement community in Eastern Pennsylvania. The town hasn't forgotten its roots as an important source of anthracite coal in the 1800s, and you can learn more about it at the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine. You can take a trip into the same tunnels that miners used in the past in search of coal and learn just what went into these operations. The Museum of Anthracite Mining in town also houses an extensive collection of artifacts from the heyday of mining operations in the area.
To stay active in retirement, head to Higher Ups Park, with plenty of space to take walks and enjoy the beautiful forests of Pennsylvania. And Ashland has a few smaller medical clinics for your everyday needs, such as St. Luke's Ashland Family Practice.
Jim Thorpe
In the Pocono Mountains, you'll find one of Pennsylvania's best-kept secrets: Jim Thorpe. The town has a lively culture and a good mix of retirees and young people, giving it a distinctive feel. The culture is on full display at the Mauch Chunk Opera House. Bearing the original name of the town, the venue hosts live music from all genres, so you'll likely find several shows each year worth attending that match your preferences. To get out and experience the beauty of the Jim Thorpe area, head to the Mauch Chunk Lake Park, with plenty of space for walking and a gorgeous view of the Lehigh River.
Jim Thorpe also hosts several events throughout the year that make it a worthwhile place to retire. The Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival is an annual celebration of the Lehigh Valley's fall beauty, featuring train rides, live music, and handmade crafts. It's the perfect way to enjoy the fall season and one of the many perks of retiring to Jim Thorpe.
Lehighton
Only a few miles from Jim Thorpe is Lehighton, another excellent retirement community that gives you a different taste of the Lehigh Valley. The Country Junction is the town's most famous feature. Billed as the world's largest general store, it stocks food, tools, home goods, and garden supplies under one roof. Whatever you need, you're likely to find it there. You can also take a trip back to the past at the Mahoning Drive-in Theater, one of Pennsylvania's last remaining drive-ins. Catch a movie there just like you did when you were a kid.
Lehighton also offers ample opportunities to get out and enjoy the natural vistas of the Lehigh Valley. Beltzville State Park offers several trails for walking, streams for trout fishing, and picnic spots to take your grandchildren. The foliage in the fall is unlike anything else you'll find in the state.
Choosing the Right Fit
The thread running through these towns is value that holds up after a career ends. Pennsylvania waives state tax on Social Security and retirement-account income, and housing in Lewistown or Ashland costs a fraction of what the same money buys along the coast. What separates the towns is the daily texture of retirement. Williamsport and Lancaster reward retirees who want a hospital and a theater season within reach. Tyrone and DuBois suit those who would rather trade amenities for quiet and a golf membership. Weighing medical access against pace and price is the decision that points a retiree toward one of these towns over the others.
